The objective of this Phase I application is to develop a new quantitative clinical biomarker for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Acute headache is initially screened for SAH by computed tomography (CT). CT-negative patients suspected of SAH are then screened for cerebrspinal fluid (CSF) xanthochromia, which has documented limitations and is not FDA-approved. The present application proposes to develop a new biomarker, cleaved MAP-tau (C-tau). The proposed biomarker should demonstrate increased sensitivity and specificity, as well as, improving point of care treatment by using immunocard technology. We have developed a sandwich ELISA that specifically quantifies this neuronally localized protein, C-tau, that is released from damaged neurons. Employing our C-tau ELISA, we demonstrate in preliminary studies that CSF C-tau levels are elevated 1 ,000 fold in SAH patients compared to neurologic controls.
Our Specific Aims are:
Specific Aim 1 : Determine if CSF C-tau levels are significantly elevated in CT-negative acute headache patients with SAH compared patients without SAH determined at three month follow up (N=150).
Specific Aim 2 : Determine if differences in CSF C-tau level between SAH(+) and SAH(-) patients are time dependent (Specific Aim 1).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43NS040175-01A2
Application #
6483618
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDCN-6 (10))
Program Officer
Marler, John R
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2003-07-31
Budget Start
2002-08-01
Budget End
2003-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$128,125
Indirect Cost
Name
Phase 2 Discovery, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
799563486
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45219